By focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and sustainable sourcing, we aim to integrate sustainability into our business strategy
Zafiris Lampadaridis, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Belgrade, began his career in the construction industry in 1994 and was involved in numerous international projects in the power generation sector in Greece. He has been in the hospitality industry since 1999. He has worked in Romania, Poland, Greece, and for the past 10 years, has lived and worked in Belgrade. Since April 2021, Zafiris Lampadaridis has been the General Manager of Hyatt Regency Belgrade. Today, he lives in Serbia’s capital with his family and enjoys sports and spending time in nature in his free time.
Many companies are embracing “green” practices and finding ways to incorporate sustainability into their core operations. Do you follow these trends, and what are some sustainability practices implemented at the hotel?
By focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and sustainable sourcing, we aim to integrate sustainability into our business strategy. This includes implementing LED lighting and optimizing HVAC systems to minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, we encourage sustainability in our supply chain by prioritizing responsible sourcing, avoiding harmful products, and adopting sustainable practices as efficiently as possible. Our goal is to have a supply chain that benefits both the community and the planet.
We have realized our commitment to waste reduction through a partnership with KITRO, a leader in waste management technology from Switzerland. By implementing KITRO’s solutions, the hotel tracks and analyzes food waste data to improve kitchen operations and minimize waste.
We strive to inspire changes in the hospitality industry by setting an example and making sustainability and responsible resource management part of our daily routine.
What are some ways that corporations contribute to biodiversity in urban environments? Do you implement or plan any initiatives in this domain?
Beekeeping in city settings is gaining popularity as a method to support bee populations and establish more sustainable ecosystems within urban areas. To expand biodiversity and subsequently the hotel’s honey production, in 2022, we collaborated with the Belgrade Beekeepers Association to install two beehives on the hotel’s rooftop.
The beehives we installed on the hotel’s rooftop provide an ideal habitat for bees, allowing them natural development and access to a variety of flowers and plants in urban areas. Our concern for the environment and preservation of biodiversity led us to this decision, aware of the importance of the role bees play in pollinating plants and maintaining ecosystems in urban environments.
We noticed art displayed in the main lobby of your hotel. Could you tell us more about it?
The art you have noticed is part of the HyArt project. For over a year now, we have been successfully merging the beauty of modern artists’ works from the local art scene with the longstanding tradition of our hotel. With this project, the hotel’s history has gained a completely new dimension and freshness, inviting admiration from both hotel guests and locals. We strive to uniquely connect with the Belgrade community and appreciate the creativity and authenticity of modern artists, where each month we have the opportunity to discover new art.
You mentioned one of the initiatives through which you demonstrate the importance of humanitarian engagement by example. What is the impact of such projects?
For the 28th consecutive year, we are delighted to organize the Traditional Charity Christmas Tree Contest, a charitable holiday event where employees from various companies showcase their creativity. Through this wonderful initiative and collective effort, each year we raise funds donated to charitable causes. Last year, we raised EUR 24,000 for the organization NURDOR, contributing to providing permanent accommodation for children and families receiving cancer treatment.
Due to the hotel’s long-standing tradition, it may often be perceived in the market as an older establishment. Does this pose a challenge in business, and has the hotel’s status and significance changed during its 33 years of operation?
Over the course of 33 years, we have managed to build recognition and our reputation in the Belgrade market while preserving tradition. Through annual renovations of certain parts of the hotel, we have maintained its distinctive brilliance while retaining the history embedded within its walls. I believe our excellent, longstanding service is precisely what sets us apart from younger competing hotels.
